X-Ray

Before the 19th century, doctors diagnosed illnesses based on their own observation and explanation given by patients. However this method alone was insufficient in diagnosing the illness.

In the year 1895, a miracle happened in Professor Roentgen’s laboratory, at the University of Munich, Germany. On that day, he came to the lab as usual, plugged in and swiitched on the cathode ray tube (a vacuum tube with one or more electron guns, and a flourescent screen that is used to view projected images). Suddenly, he saw glimmers of light flashing on the fluorescent board which was 2 meters away from him. He put his hand over the light and a horror scene appeared in front of him. He could not believe his eyes when he saw a shadow of his hand bone reflected on the fluorescent board!

After several repeated experiments, Roentgen concluded that the cathode ray tube produced a ray which had strong penetration attributes. He decided to name this as an X-ray. X represents an unknown concept in a mathematical context. The discovery caused an uproar in thr world.

Roentgen’s dicovery was applied in the medical field in the early 20th century and eventually the X-radio fluoroscope was invented. Several disease conditions could be detected through X-rays. In the 1950’s, X-radio fluoroscopes became a common tool in the medical field.

Food for Thought :

Sometimes, luck is required for innovation or invention. But luck is not on your side without great effort. Professor Roentgen would not have been able to discover X-ray without his great effort in research.

Short Stories on Discoveries, Inventions, Innovation & Creativity

AAET and UTAR, 2015

ms 53-54